- Until the introduction of Promin injections, the only treatment for leprosy was injection of chaulmoogra oil (oil extracted from the nut of a tree called chaulmoogra). It was administered as a very painful intramuscular injection though its efficacy remained under question.
- Leprosy causes sensory paralysis and the loss of sensitivity to pain, heat, and cold, making people unaware of any injuries they might have incurred. This leads to delayed treatment and aggravation of wounds.
- There was an infirmary where wounds from burns and cuts were treated. Many patients went to the infirmary. But because there were not enough doctors and nurses, the patients had to help each other in the infirmary, changing bandages and gauze.
- Bandages and gauze were washed and reused repeatedly. It was the patients who helped with the washing and preparing them for reuse.
